Tsai Ing-wen elected as first female President of Taiwan

Pro-independence candidate of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen 59, has been elected as first female president, after Eric Chu, the candidate and chairman of the ruling Kuomintang (KMT), conceded defeat.

The election was held on Saturday in which about 18 million citizens were eligible to vote. Ms Tsai, represents Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) which leads the camp that wants independence from China.

Ms Tsai had a commanding lead in the vote count. She was leading with 58.1 percent, according to a live count from polling stations where as Eric Chu was on 32.5 percent. Veteran conservative candidate James Soong of the People First Party was third with 9.4 percent.

Eric Chu of the Kuomintang party (KMT), congratulated Tsai Ing-wen. He said. “I congratulate Chairman Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party on her victory,” he said. “This is the choice of Taiwan’s people.”

He also announced that he was quitting as KMT head. Taiwan’s Premier Mao Chi-kuo also resigned.

Tsai narrowly lost out on the presidency four years ago. The KMT has been in power for past 70 years and has overseen improved relations with Beijing. Ms Tsai’s victory means this is only the second-ever victory for the DPP.